You rest in-between if you have to – like going for 12 reps on a weight where you can only bang out 8 with strict form – sure, you rest-pause until you get those last 4 reps out, never dropping the bar…

A friend and I were discussing the meme culture that’s grown over the years and how really, when you think about it, there are an alarming rate of memes that older people would consider “dark/depressing humor”.

But let’s be honest…rather than focusing on that – isn’t that screaming a message loud and clear?

People’s human security in the developed world (like economic, for instance), is clearly not as great as politicians are pretending like it is.

We live in an age where we’re bombarded with advertising – it’s on YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, SoundCloud, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc, etc…you really can’t get away from it.

Advertisements quietly streamlined into your “social” media accounts, looking as if they’re part of your timelines or the videos you watch.

Don’t get me wrong – I get that ads were always around, especially on TV and radio, and I understand that services that offer free listening/watching need ads to pay for what they serve up to you, but these days it all seems like it’s so much more…intense.

Not in a good way – in a pushy way.

Ads that scream at you across the screen or through your ear buds with enthusiastic messages of “lease this! buy that!“.

…but the damn irony of it all is that half the time these messages are being pounded into a generation’s head that’s struggling just to pay the rent or have a nice holiday.

Ads are being pushed across as if every person being advertised to, has the disposable income to go and buy everything they’re told to – most of it being useless shit.

“Don’t have cash? Just use credit. Get yourself a store card,” they suggest.

Yeah alright, you get to drive a different car every so many months but…who the hell came up with the bright idea it’s cool to pay for something you have to give back and get penalized for overusing because you “went over your mileage” when you do give it back, because you fancied going on a road trip?

What I’m trying to say is, I feel like with the way the “developed” world has become so commercialized, older generations are coming down a little hard on the millennials as to why they don’t have their shit together.

Since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/9, we’ve been living in a time where every electronic device is practically blaring at people in their teens and 20s that they should be living life a certain way – then ironicallynot providing adequate income or opportunities for them to live those certain lifestyles.

When you’re in a job, standing your ground can sometimes mean you’re going to piss a few people off – whether you care or not is entirely up to you – but it can swing both ways.

Either you gain more respect, or your head gets closer to the chopping block.

I was raised to be one stubborn, head strong son of a bitch.

I’ve realized over the years it’s probably the biggest blessing in my life – A) because it sure as shit does help a lot when it comes to getting through my workouts….and B) because honestly, I probably would’ve abandoned the thought of being an entrepreneur long ago.

Circling back around to millennials – they get so much shit.

They really do. Especially from some baby boomers.

I remember watching a political talk with Trae Crowder some months back where the host of the show said “millennials are a very confused generation”.

…….

You’d be confused too growing up in a time where you witnessed the biggest financial downturn since The Great Depression of the 1920s.

Back when that happened you had people trying to cope with alcohol, suicide, and any other means.

These days you get people coping through substance abuse, depression, suicide….and then joking about serious life situations through fucking memes.

You really think that can’t tip either way?

Healthily pushing back or just turning completely nihilistic?

Which pretty much brings me around to the point that in order for things to start changing, people have to start standing their ground.

Learning to stand your ground in life can have a huge impact – can you imagine if everyone was so disgusted with the way things are being run they pushed back?

Companies can’t fire everyone.

They’re already making getting a job feel like winning the lottery.

….or like money is something “optional”.

Then when you get the job, literally trying to condition you that the harder you work the better you are.

Even Machiavelli’s writings came to the conclusion you push a man too hard after a while he’ll feel like he has nothing left to lose.

There’s also the belief that millennials act entitled.

I wholly disagree with this.

Millennials don’t feel entitled – with globalization and the exponential growth in commercialization, they work more hours than earlier generations ever had to contend with, maybe stopping shy of people who worked in factories that supported the war efforts during WWII.

Despite having more “human rights” laws that have been put in place since that time.

Narcissists on the other hand, are interesting in the sense that they already tell themselves everyone loves them, they’re the best thing since sliced bread, and everything they do is like the first time something really useful was invented for human kind.

Like the lightbulb.

Or condoms.

They also obsess over being the best…which in turn, often makes them push themselves to be the best.

There are narcissist that are really just insecure people masquerading as narcissist (like Trump), I think, but that’s another story for another time.

Take business for instance. Remember the good old days where you just swung by a company, maybe sweet talked the receptionist into getting you a spot to see the boss, or walked in regularly and asked to see the person in charge because you saw an ad in the paper?

You put in your CV/resumé, you either got seen the next day, or same day, had an informal chat, and before you knew it you were hired?

There were no 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, interviews plus one drink-the-blood-of-a-goat final 5th ritual interview, just because they needed to cross-examine to make sure they were convinced enough to hire you.

There was no portfolio you had to present, no vague requests to “prove a track record of success” without actually specifying exactly what they’re looking for.

A guy looked at your CV, had a chat with you to see if what was on your CV wasn’t bullshit, and went with his gut.

This amazingly managed to do just as good of a job as what recruiters are “trained” to do (but fail ever so miserably at) when it comes to ensuring people were hired based off of their talent or skills they could bring to a company, rather than nepotism or particularism.

Remember when you could just walk up to someone, apologize for interrupting, and compliment them on something you really liked about them physically?

Or maybe you’d just be in the bookstore and strike up a conversation about a book you see someone considering buying and you’ve bought it before so hey great, conversation starter.

There’d either be a positive or negative reaction, you’d maybe swap numbers (home numbers, no mobile phones then), eventually go on dates, etc.

Once you were in the relationship, texting day-to-day wasn’t necessary nor was it possible.

The person just trusted that you liked them and them only, and when you both did call to meet up again, you valued it more.

You never really had to convince one another you were into each other, because each time you both met it was like meeting each other all over again – all due to a build up of the feeling of missing one another and looking forward to seeing each other.

Friendships are the same way. I could go on and on and on but I think you’re smart enough to draw up your own examples.

I’m very much action oriented…so maybe this irritates me more than others.

But frankly, I don’t believe in people’s words.

Ironic, right?

A writer, who writes, and writes, and writes – but doesn’t believe other people’s words.

Well, maybe it’s a little more nuanced than that.

I believe people’s words, but I watch their actions.

I don’t believe in proving, don’t believe in convincing, and don’t seek approval.

I’ll take someone’s word, trust and expect them to do the action, and leave them to it.

If they don’t I don’t really care, because I don’t attach much weight to their words first time around.

I do believe that actions speak a lot louder than words, when carried out.

Largely because of the fact that as the desire from people, of people to prove themselves, to convince other people that they are what they are, can do what they can do, feel how they feel, and need what they need, increases…it only perpetuates the issue of words becoming devoid, meaningless – lip service.

Side note: There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing and nourishing romantic relationships – but if you’re going to, I think it’s imperative to make sure that person is lifting you up, rather than having you stall out or pulling you down.

Now heat everything over a medium heat until you’ve got your water just below boiling, making sure you stir everything well in order to make sure the sugar dissolves completely (this is important, dammit).

Take your saucepan off the heat, and let your syrup cool until it’s room temperature.

Grab a mason jar (it’s really important that it’s a mason jar), pour the syrup in there, seal it, and (gently) toss it in the fridge.

You’ve gotta have some patience here.

Let it sit in your fridge for a week, then strain out the peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.

Take another mason jar (a clean one), pour the syrup in it, seal it, and pop it back in the fridge.

Or, you know, use it, for the above cocktail recipe.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

I’m a fan of coffee and hot chocolate – not really a tea drinker (partly because I suck at making tea – except for spice tea I do a pretty bang up job of making that)…but hot chocolate is one of my all time favourites.

Considering most franchise coffee shops can’t make a good cup of espresso to save their lives (there are few, and they are legends), it’s what I opt for when I’m being asked to sit at a coffee shop and socialise with other people I’ve known for a while…or new ones.

But generally, it’s not socially acceptable to slip the barista some alcohol and ask him to spike your drink.

Nor is it acceptable to spike your own drink, apparently – otherwise that mother with her child wouldn’t be giving me the stink eye whenever I whip out a flask.

When you’re at home though, everything’s fair game.

Wanna act like you’re the only one in line? Go for it.

Spike your hot chocolate? Be my guest.

Walk around naked? Go wild.

You get the idea.

Here’s how to do it (the spiking – not the nudity) properly.

You’ll need:

A decent hot chocolate.

8 oz. of it.

1 oz. Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

1/2 oz. Nux Alpina Walnut Liqueur

A Dollop of Freshly Whipped Cream (do it right – none of this pre-whipped business)

Mint Leaves (fresh, for garnish)

Make your hot chocolate – whichever one is your favourite, but just make sure it’s quality.

Add in your hazelnut and walnut liqueur and stir everything together well – use your bar spoon for this.

Top it off with that freshly whipped cream you slaved over making, and garnish with some mint leaves (let’s say, about a sprig).

Done.

There’s a reason for using walnut and hazelnut liqueurs…they add depth to the cocoa base.

This is perfect for when you’re sitting by the fire with your hot toddy – aka that special someone.

Speaking of – I promised you a story with a little insight into me, didn’t I?